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A. LETTER 



FROM 



Colonel J. E. BRYANT 



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jEORGFA, 



TO 



HON. H. HAMLIN, U. S. S. 



Also, Letters from several Distinguished Men, 



WASHINGTON, 1). C. 
■ ilBSON BROTHERS, PRINTER!^. 

1870. 






National Hotel, 
Washington, D. C, Fehniar}/ '1\, 1870. 
Hon. H. Hamlin, 

U. S. Senator from 3Iuint : 

Dear Sir — As a representative of my liative State, (Maiue,) 
in the United States Senate, I address you upon a matter of 
importance to myself; I do this because I come to Wash- 
ington to represent the condition of my adopted State, 
(Georgia,) and because most infamous falsehoods have been 
told to injure me. If I alone would suffer by what is said of 
me, I would remain silent, and allow time to be my vindi- 
cator ; but the condition of my State is such that I have felt 
it to be my duty to come to this city and lay before Senators 
and Representatives a statement of our condition. To pre- 
vent my statements from having weight with Republicans, 
it is alleged that I have deserted my party and am now 
acting with Democrats. I have acted with Democrats just as 
"Old Thad. Stevens " used to act with them — to carry his 
points. My State is in the hands of a "ring" of bad 
men, who, by the aid of immense patronage, are able, 
assisted by Congress and the military authorities, to retain 
power for a short time. They seek to induce Congress and 
the Republican party to continue to aid them until they shall 
have carried out their schemes, and shall have plundered the 
State. I know that they can hold power but a short time 
after Congress shall have given up the control of our affairs 
to the people of the State, but in the meantime they will 
have done much harm, aud will have ruined the Republican 
party of Georgia. I did much to build up that party, and I 
dislike to see it ruined by men who did almost nothing ; 
men who were placed in power because they were supposed 
to be Union men, but have betrayed those who trusted them. 



You are aware of the fact tliat I was appointed by the 
President postmaster at Augusta, Georgia. You are also 
aware of the fact that my confirmation was opposed by men 
from Georgia. I will frankly admit that I desired the posi- 
tion, but I have felt it to be my duty to resign. Before I 
resigned I was informed that all opposition to my confirma- 
tion would be withdrawn, and I supposed that I was certain 
of being confirmed, as there would be no opposition, but cir- 
cumstances arose that made it important for me to take my 
seat in the Georgia house of representatives, of which I am a 
member. If I retained the position of postmaster, I could 
not hold my seat in the legislature. It was to my interest 
to retain the post office. I believed it to be my duty to take 
my seat in the house of representatives. I therefore addressed 
to the President the following letter, and qualified as a mem- 
ber of the general assembly : 

Atlanta, Georgia, January \\, 18T0. 
President U. S. Grant : 

Sir — You will remember perhaps that soon after your inauguration I made ap- 
[ilication for the position of postmaster at Augusta, in this State, and that on the 
2d day of April I addressed to you a letter, of ■which the following is a copy : 

" Washington, D. C, April 2, 1869. 
" President U. S. Grant : 

"Sir : I have made application for a position under the present Administration. 
Duty to my adopted State has forced me to take position against Governor Bul- 
lock and Foster Blodgett. It is charged that I have done this to secure office ; 
that I care more for office than I do for my State. I cannot allow myself to be 
placed in a false posilion. I have therefore asked to withdraw my application, 
but the Postmaster General requested that my papers be allowed to remain on file. 
1 have no objection ; but I wish it distinctly understood that I am not an appli- 
cant for any position. 

"As a soldier, I most respectfully ask that you will examine, at your leisure, my 
papers now on file with the Postmaster General, simply as an act of justice to a 
soldier who fought under you. 

" I am. very respectfully, 

"J. E. BRYANT, 
'■^Late Brevet Lieut. Col. 8th Me. Inf." 

In a few weeks after the above letter was written, you did me the honor to ap- 
point me to the position of postmaster at Augusta, although I had not again asked 
for the position. I am aware that most desperate efforts have been made to induce 
you to remove me, but you have declined to do so, and have nominated me to the 
United States Senate for confirmation. The same desperate etforts have been made 
to prevent my confirmation, but I have reason to believe that the Senate would 
confirm me. I am unwilling to remain quiet and allow Governor Bullock and 
Foster Blodgett, at present the leaders of the Republican party in this State, to pur- 
sue a course which I consider infamous. Duty to my adopted State forces me to 
tiike a public position against these bold, bad men. I have therefore decided to take 
my seat in the General Assembly of this State, and, on that account, I most 
respectfully tender to you my resignation as postmaster at Augusta. 



Allow me, Mr. Presideat, to express to you my warmest thanks for your kind- 
ness to me. I can never forj^et that you trusted me when I was bitterly assailed 
by men high iu position. T frankly admit that I desired the position you gave me, 
but, for reasons given in my letter alluded to above, I withdrew my application, 
and I now resign solely from a sense of duty to my State. 

Allow me to say, in conclusion, that from my boyhood I have been a Republi- 
can. I as firmly believe in the principles advocated by that party as I do in the 
religion which I profess. I fought three years in the Union army, and as an old 
soldier I assure you that I shall be true to the teachings of my boyhood. I shall 
support the national Republican party and your Administration. My paper, 
the Georgia Republican^ will continue to battle for true Republican principles as 
I understand them, but I shall expose the corruption of men who now lead the 
Republican party of Georgia — men who will disgrace our cause and your Admin- 
istration if they are not exposed. 

I am, with great respect, 

J. E. BRYANT. 

{Since then I have been almost constantly engaged in a 
contest to save our State from being plundered and our party 
from being ruined. I will not attempt in this letter to de- 
fend my course, but ask that you will read the following 
letters. They were given to me to aid me in securing the 
post office at Augusta, Georgia, but I now use them to defend 
my character from the assaults of scoundrels. I do not in- 
tend to convey the impression that the men who gave me 
the letters approve of my recent course. Each man speaks 
for me up to the time his letter was written. I have, there- 
fore, in some instances, given more than one letter from the 
same person. 

I assure you, sir, that I shall be true to my record as a 
Union soldier and a Eepublican. I have opposed the Dem- 
ocratic party, and I shall continue to do so. I act with 
Democrats in Georgia temporarily, because, in my opinion, 
it is necessary to do so to save my State from ruin. 

I ask that you will read the arguments of Mr. Caldwell 
and myself made before the Senate Judiciary Committee, 
which I hand you herewith, together with other documents 
relating to the Georgia case, as well as the following letters 
in regard to my Republican record. 
I am, very respectfully, 

J. E. BRYANT. 



Hbadquarters Depaktment of the South, 
Chief Quartermaster's Office, Atlanta, Ga., 1869. 
General U. S. Grant, 

President of the United States : 
Sir — T would respectfully recommend to your favorable consideration Colonel 
J. E. Bryant, of Augusta, Georgia, for the position of postmaster of that city. 
To a brilliant war record in the Union army Colonel Bryant has added since its 
close a no less important service in the cause of reconstruction, as one of the elec- 
tors for the State of Georgia, Chairman of the State Republican Committee, and 
an influential member of the State legislature. As a man of excellent business 
capacity, active and intelligent, upright and honest, the Government funds will 
be safe in his keeping. In my judgment, no better selection could be made for 
the position desired. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

RDFUS SAXTON, 
Brevet Brig. Gen^l and Quartermaster, U. S. A. 

Elberton, Elbert County, Georgia, March 8, 1869. 
To the President of the United States : 

Sir — If there should be a vacancy in the ofiBce of postmaster at Augusta, Geor- 
gia, Colonel John E. Bryant will seek the appointment. Having been requested 
to state what I know of his fitness, I take pleasure in saj'ing that he is a man of 
good business capacity, of integrity and moral worth, and would be acceptable to 
the community. 

He has been among the most active and ardent Union men in Georgia, and no 
man has done more to organize and build up the Republican party. 
Respectfully yours, &c., 

AMOS T. AKERMAN, 
Republican Candidate for Elector for State at large, 

Madison, Georgia, November 29, 1869. 
Col. J. E. Bryant: 

Dear Sir — I shall not be in Washington at the meeting of Congress. I cannot 
say when it will be convenient for me to go there — probably not for some weeks 
or months. As I desired your appointment as postmaster at Augusta, it is natural 
I should wish you confirmed by the Senate. In this I am not aware of any selfish 
feeling prompting me. If the Senate knew you as well as I do, and were as well 
satisfied with your political action, all in all, they would not think of rejecting 
you for want of devotion or efficiency in support of the Republican party and re- 
construction, and unfaltering defence of the civil and political rights of the colored 
people of Georgia. The Senate cannot be ignorant of your services. In addition 
to these claims, you have won the reputation of being a good and virtuous citizen, 
entitled, as an honest, industrious, intelligent man, to the respect and confidence of 
the people of your adopted city. 

I do not see what good reason can be offered for your rejection by the Senate. 
If my good opinion of your capacity and political and moral deserts could assure 
you of your office, you would at once be relieved of all anxiety. I hope it may 
do you no harm to say this, at the least. 

You are at liberty to use this if you think it will do you any good. 

With the best wishes for vou success, I am, very truly yours, 

JOSHUA HILL. 

Atlanta, February 11, 1869. 
Gen. U. S. Grant: 

Dear Sik— The bearer of this letter, Captain J. E. Bryant, has been one of the 
most active, energetic, and influential Republicans in this State, and has contrib- 



uted a large share to the success of the i)arty in the gubernatorial election and 
the adoption of the State constitution. He is an influential member of the legis- 
lature, a clear-headed, sensible man, and one who has risked and suffered much 
for the principles he advocates. 

Captain Br^-ant informs me that he shall be an applicant for the position of post- 
master at Augusta. I do not hesitate to say he is every way well qualified to fill 
that or any other similar position. 

I trust Captain Bryant will be, as he deserves to be, well provided for. 
Very respectfuUv, vour obedient servant, 

JOSEPH E. BROWN, 
{Ex- Gov., now Chief Justice.) 

To the President : 

lam well acquainted with J. E. Bryant, of Augusta, Georgia, whose name is 
before you for appointment as postmaster of that city. 

Mr. Bryant was a meritorious officer in the war, and has been an active, zealous, 
and efficient supporter of the Union cause since the war closed. 

I shall be greatly gratified if he can secure the appointment he desires. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

.1. G. BLAINE. 
18tb March, 1869. 

Fortieth Congress United State.s, 

Washington, D. C, March 11, 1869. 
To the President : 

I respectfully recommend Colonel J. E. Bryant for the position of postmaster 
at Augusta, Georgia. 

Colonel Bryant resided in my district prior to the war, and was known as an 
active, reliable, and efficient Republican. He served three years very honorably 
in the war, and at its close he settled in Augusta, and has done much valuable 
service for our cause in thnt State. 

SIDNEY PERHAM, 
Member 38th, 39th, and 40<A Congresses. 

Adgusta, Georgia, January 6, 1870. 
Hon. Alexander Ramsey, 

Chairman Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads : 
Sir — The name of Colonel J. E. Bryant, sent by his Excellency the President 
to the Senate for confirmation as postmaster at this place, now awaits, we are 
informed, the action of the committee of which you are chairman. Under these 
circumstances, and with a view to secure a favorable report from your committee, 
the undersigned, citizens of Augusta, desire to urge upon you the following good 
reasons for his confirmation : 

1. He served three years in the United States Army during the war for the 
Union. 

2. In 1865 he came to this place as agent of the Freedmen's Bureau, and was 
at that time the only man in this whole country to openly advocate giving to the 
colored people the rights consequent upon their freedom, and who openly worked 
for their advantacre, and accorded to them their just rights as men, and for this 
he obtained the hatred of the mass of the people of this community. 

3. He has, from the first to the present time, been a consistent friend to the 
colored people, and has given his time and means to their welfare, advocating 
their cause, to the satisfaction of the loyal citizens and only well-wishers of the 
•Government in this section, barring a very few whites. 

4. He has been and is now a staunch member of, and has ably supported, the 
Republican party, stumping the Ku-Klux region of the State, and being the only 
one to do so who preached good, sound Republican doctrine, organizing the 
colored people into leagues and clubs, and endeavoring by all means in his power, 
and hesitating at no sacrifice or personal danger, to secure the triumph of our 



party, jind his labor was crovvued with great success, though much of it is now 
barren through the action of the enemies of the United States. 

5. xMr. Byant is now editing ^^ The Georgia Republican,^' and is doing good 
with it ; if he has the means to continue, he will do the party and country much 
more good, in our opinion, but if not confirmed, the paper will probably die. 

6. He has given four years' faithful service and thousands of dollars to the cause 
without reward. Shall he have nothing for this? 

7. Mr. Bryant has differed from other leaders of the party in this State, but if 
wrong, all men are liable to err, and he is now and has always been ready to sup- 
port any measure declared by Congress to be right, claiming that body to be the 
proper judge of what was best for the party. 

8. Those opposed to Mr. Bryant's confirmation control the whole of the State 
patronage. Mr. Bryant asks for the post office at this place alone. Can you ask 
him to forego his claims after the service he has rendered? 

9. Colonel Bryant occupies the position of leader to a majority of the colored 
people, beside a number of whites. Is the party so strong in this State that you 
can afford to crush one faction to satisfy a personal feeling of another ? 

We most earnestly request you, sir, to examine the foregoing, believing that 
sufficient will be found there, however roughly put together, to authorize Colonel 
Bryant's confirmation, and we urge that confirmation by every consideration of 
the good of our party and the future of our State, 
Yours respectfully, 

J. S. FANNIN, 
Collector Internal Revenue, 3d District Georgia. 
HENRY WATTS, 
Pastor Springfield Baptist Church, {Colored.) 
J. E. H. CONTURIN, U. S. Ganger. 
DAVID PORTER, 
Assistant Assessor Revenue, late \st Lieut. U. S. A. 
HERMAN THUM, Asst. Assessor. 
WILLIAM M. MOORE, 
Chief Clerk Collector's office, 3d Georgia. 
ELLIS LYONS, 

Not. Pub., ex. off. J. P. 
ROBERT T. KENT, 
Pastor Green street M. E. Church, ( Colored. ) 
HENRY JACKSON, 
Pastor 3d Baptist Church, (Colored.) 
E. M. BRAY TON, 

Clerk Superior Court. 
JOHN REYNOLDS, 

N. P., ex. off. J. P. 

War Department, Washington City, March 27, 1869. 
Hon. J. A. J. Creswell, 

Postmaster General: 
Sir — I was in Georgia, during the progress of reconstruction in that State, 
performing the duties of an attorney general for the Commanding General of the 
.3d Military District. 

In the performance of my duties I became pretty well acquainted with the 
standing of the prominent men of the State, and became personally well ac- 
quainted with Col. J. E. Bryant, of Augusta, Georgia. He is a gentleman ; and 
no matter who may say to the contrary, I believe him to be one of the truest and 
wisest Republicans in the State of Georgia. 

I would be much gratified should the valuable services he has rendered in Geor- 
gia, in behalf of our country, receive some marked recognition from the Govern- 
ment. 

Your obedient servant, 

W. M. DUNN, U. S. A. 



Office of thb Methodist Advocatk, 

Atlanta, Georgia, March 3, 1860. 
President U S. Grant ; 

Sir — I take pleasure in recommending to j'our favor Gol. J. E. Bryant, of Au- 
gusta, Georgia, as one wortliy of the fullest confidence, every way competent to 
serve as postmaster at Augusta, Georgia. 

Col. Bryant is a highly esteemed member of our church, and has proved himself 
true to his conscience and God. 

E. Q. FULLER, 
P. E. Methodist E. Church and Editor Methodist Advocate. 

Washington, March 1.3, 1869. 
To His Excellency, U. S. Grant, President: 

Wehave the honor respectfully to recommend to your favorable consideration Col. 
J. E. Bryant, of Augusta, Ga., who is an applicant for a position under your ad- 
ministration. At the commencement of the war he raised a company, and, sub- 
sequently, entered the service as captain in the 8th Maine infantry. He served 
with distinction, and at the close of the war was appointed Lt. Colonel by Brevet 
for gallant and meritorious services. He went to Georgia in the spring of 1865, 
intending to make that State his home, and engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion, the law. Becoming satisfied that it was impossible to establish a loyal gov- 
ernment in Georgia, unless the colored men could have the ballot, he assisted in 
organizing an association and establishing a paper, the Loyal Georgian, to advocate 
the cause of equal rights. He labored earnestly for the cause during the year, and 
was a member of the Southern Loyalist Convention that met in the fall of 186G. Since 
the reconstruction acts were passed he has been one of the most influential leaders 
of the Republican party in Georgia. He was a leading member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention, and isnow a prominent member of the General Assembly. He 
has been a member of the Republican State Committee since the organization of 
the party, and, as secretary of the committee, conducted the campaign for a con- 
vention, and for the ratification of the constitution. He was chairman of the Re- 
publican executive committee during the presidential campaign, and labored faith- 
fully, the party only being defeated by violence and fraud. Knowing Col. Bryant 
for many years, we earnestly recommend him for any position for which he may 
apply. Hoping that his services as a soldier, and in the cause of reconstruction, 
may commend him to your favorable consideration. 
We are, sir, your most obedient servants, 

C. H. PRINCE, M. C, Ga. 

JAS. W. CLIFT, M. C. Ga. 

JOHN A. WIMPY, 

M. C. Elect, Gth Dist. Ga. 

Augusta, Ga., February 27, 1869. 
U. S. Grant, 

President United States : 
Sir — il take great pleasure in recommending to your favorable consideration the 
application of Col. J. E. Bryant for postmaster of our city. 

The Colonel's history in defence of our country during the war, and his ardu- 
ous labors in the work of reconstruction since the war, is known to the country, 
and is appreciated by all our loyal citizens. Aside from this, I believe him to be 
an earnest Christian, and a gentleman in every way qualified for the position asked 
for. 

His appointment will meet the approval of our loyal citizens. 
I am, yours respectfully, 

J. SPILMAN, 
Presiding Elder of the Augusta District, M. E. Church. 



10 

Washington, March 11, 1869. 
Hon. J. A. J. Uresweli- : 

General — This introduces to you Hou. J. K. Bryant, of Augusta, Georgia. 

My friend served three years in the Union army, and from the overthrow of the 
rebellion has resided in Georgia, earnestly devoted to reconstruction. 

He has labored bravely and most efficiently. I have been associated with him 
more than two years in the Grand Council of the Union League of Georgia and 
in the Georgia constitutional convention, and can attest his zeal and fidelity in 
the campaigns. 
,His course challenges the rewards of patriotism. 

Colonel Bryant is a gentleman of fine Christian character; will exert a most 
salutary influence among both the white and colored population, and I may add 
will be a valuable assistant in the work of planting our church in the Slate, so 
important, as we believe, to the progress of true loyalty. 

For three years he has led a much enduring life for the sake of Georgia, but 
cannot remain where he is so much needed without an office of fair emolument. 

I trust, therefore, you will have the goodness to appoint him postmaster at 
Augusta, Georgia. 

With sentiments of high regard, I am, very sincerely yours, 

WESLEY PRETTYMAN, 
Presiding Elder, Rome District, Ga., M. E. Church. 

vSavannah, Ga., June 10, 1869. 
Hon. J. A, J. Ckeswell : 

Sir — I have the honor to state that I have known Colonel John E. Bryant per- 
sonally for about three years. He has a fine war record as an officer of the United 
States army. He was editor and proprietor of the first Republican paper issued in 
Georgia after the war, and with tongue and pen ably advocated the principles of 
equal rights and universal suffrage when few were found to aid him in Georgia. 
As an active, earnest friend of reconstruction on the Congressional plan he had 
few equals. Elected to the constitutional convention, and subsequently to the 
legislature, he was regarded as one of the leading Republicans of Georgia. As 
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the State, he labored earnestly in the 
Presidential campaign, and it was through no fault of his that we did not carry 
Georgia for Grant. T cannot but regret, and must ever disapprove his course in 
refusing to abide by the party nominations for Senators. I believed it to have 
injured the party very much. He is a pure-minded Christian gentleman, of strong 
and earnest convictions of his duty, and very active in expressing and enforcing 
his views. 

Such men are, in my opinion, worthy the consideration of the Administration. 
Very respectful! v, 

JOSEPH W. CLTFT. 
Member of Congress, \st District, G<t. 

United States Internal Revenue, Collector's Office, 4th Dist. Ga., 

Atlanta, March, 1869. 
His Excellency, U. S. Grant, 

President of the United States: 
Sir — Capt. J. E. Bryant, of Augusta, in this State, who is an applicant for the 
position of postmaster in that city, is well known and influential throughout our 
State as one who, after evincing his loyaltj- to the United States hy service in the 
field during the war, became an ardent advocate of and leader in the cause of the 
Congressional plan of reconstruction. For his eminent service during the war, 
and consistent devotion to the principles of the Republican pirty since, he is en- 
titled to the position he seeks. He is also well qualified as a business man, and 
as a man of integrity and honor; and his appointment will be satisfactory to all 
friends of the Government. 

Hoping, and asking that his appointment be made, I have the honor to be, very 
respectfully, 

JAMES ATKINS, 
Collector and Rep. Candidate for Congress, ^tth Dist. Oa. 



11 

CusTOM-HoDSE, Savannah, Georgia, 

Collkctor's Office, Nov. 2G, 1869. 
Hon. J. E. BuYANT, Augusta, Ga: 

Dear Sir — When I saw you at Macon, during the State fair last week, you 
informed me that you intended to leave shortly for the West and North, to be 
absent a short time. Allow nie to wish you a pleasant and successful journey, 
and a safe return to the State and your official duties at Augusta. 

I take the occasion of your temporary departure to testify to you the high re- 
gard and esteem I have for you. My acquaintance with you dates from the close 
of the war; but my information is that, during the war, your record as a soldier 
was an enviable one. From my own knowledge I can speak of your political 
record since the war. Your efforts in behalf of the Congressional plan of recon- 
struction and the Republican party have been untiring, and attended with the 
best results. For it all you have my personal thanks, and deserve well of all 
who have at heart the success of our party, and the permanent ascendancy of its 
principles. 

You have my permission to show this to such of ray friends as you may meet 
in your journeyings. 

Very respectfully, yours, T. P. ROBB. 

Macon, Georgia, November 24, 1869. 
Hon. Charles Sumner : 

Dear Sir — Colonel J. E. Bryant, whose appointment will come up for confirma- 
tion before the Senate, will doubtless be bitterly opposed by several so-called 
Georgia Republicans. In the event he meets with opposition, I beg leave to state 
the facts in his case. Colonel Bryant was the first white man in this State who 
took up the question of negro rights, and fought for a long time alone, except the 
aid he received from a few of us colored men. He was consequently regarded by 
all the colored as our ablest champion, and abused accordingly by the whites. 
The Colonel held this high state of confidence till about a year ago, when a divis- 
ion rose in Georgia as to the final adjustment of our political difficulties, viz, 
whether Georgia was reconstructed or not! Colonel Bryant, at this juncture, laeing 
a lawyer, assumed the technical grounds peculiar to that profession, and advo- 
cated the affirmative side of the question, while the majority, with Governor Bul- 
lock at its head, differed, and weaving their desires into policy, most uncompro- 
misingly opposed his theory. This difference of opinion created a war of words, 
until crimination and recrimination nearly lacerated the entire party. Colonel 
Bryant was accused during this time of pandering to rebels, but we are now sat- 
isfied that he is one of our purest men ; his course for the last eight months has 
been nobler than ever before. Since Swayze has been bought out by the rebels to 
do their dirty work, our people almost in mass have dropped his paper, and Col- 
onel Bryant's paper is taken by them in every county in the State, and if he is 
confirmed he will be able to run it; otherwise, he cannot. Had 1 remained in 
office, my entire salary would have been given to the good cause, but as I am out 
by hellish strategy, Colonel Bryant must be retained, if possible. Colonel Bryant 
is the only man in office in the State who, in my opinion, will give a hundred 
dollars of his income for the advancement of our race, except Mr. Belcher. I was 
as bitterly opposed to Colonel Bryant ten months ago as any one could possibly 
be, but since I have seen his unyielding devotion to the right, and his sympathy 
for our race, and how lavishly he spends his income for the good cause, 1 am more 
devoted to him than ever. In short, Hon. Senator, if Colonel Bryant is not con- 
firmed, we, the colored people, will be left without an organ in the State. Swayze 
is going to move heaven and earth against him, because he knows if Colonel 
■ Bryant's paper is published, he is bound to go down. The grand wretch says he 
can make more money blackballing Republicans now than he can by serving the 
Government. He told a leading Democrat, so I am informed, that inasmuch as 
the Administration had done nothing for him, in the way of office, he would kill 
at least half of the damned scoundrels that did get office. 

I pray for confirmation of Colonel Bryant in the name of a majority of our 
colored citizens. 

Your humble servant. H. M. TURNER. 



12 

Elberton, Elbert County, Ga., January 12, 1870. 
Hon. James W. Patterson : 

Dear Sir — It has been my purpose not to mingle with the feuds that have grown 
of competition for office among the Republicans of Georgia. The obstreperous- 
ness with which some of our party have asserted their claims at Washington has, 
I fear, caused us all to be regarded there as a selfish squad. Your ears, I suspect, 
have been fatigued with the oft-told, and generally true-told, tale of ostracism in 
society and business. Hence, though willing both to help and be helped within 
proper limits, I have forborne to press either my own claims or those of others, 
except in a very moderate waj-. 

But, in order to prevent gross injustice to a worthy man, I take the liberty of 
stating to you some facts in relation to Col. J. E. Bryant, whose name is now 
before the Senate in nomination for the post office at Augusta, Georgia. 

He was an officer in the United States army in the late war from the State of 
Maine. At the close of the war he was stationed at Augusta in charge of the Freed- 
man's Bureau. There he got the ill-will of many who would not acquiesce in the 
new order of things, but won the regard of the colored men, and early began to 
organize a Republican party. Settling there, he was chosen to the Constitutional 
Convention. 

I met him in that body, and saw that he was one of the most zealous and con- 
sistent of the "extreme radical wing." He was one of the eleven who voted with 
me against strking out the clause which explicitly gave the right of office to all 
voters — a clause which (if it had remained) would have saved us from many of 
our subsequent troubles. 

He was chosen to the legislature, and there made a thorough Republican record. 
In 1868 he was on the electoral ticket, and in that character addressed the people 
repeatedly, where it was not only disagreeable but dangerous to do so. He is 
now publishing the ^^ Georgia Republican" — one of our few Republican journals. 

In view of these facts I am amazed to hear that Senators have been told that he is 
not a true Republ ican . I understand that he is blamed for not applying the fourteenth 
amendment to the constitution of our legislature in 1868 ; whereas the fact is that 
he, as one of a minority of the committee on that subject, reported in favor of ex- 
cluding more members than any one else. It is also charged that he is responsi- 
ble for unseating the colored members ; whereas he was their main champion in 
debate, and stood firm in their cause to the last, voting against their exclusion 
when many of our party faltered. 

I say nothing of the merits of his competitors for his present office. But I do 
say that such charges as are covertly circulated against him at Washington are 
ridiculous — ^as ridiculous as to say that Garrison was no abolitionist. 

Unless I am greatly deceived he is a Republican from principle. He has done 
more than almost any other man to organize the colored members of our party. 
That he should seek office is not surprising to one who knows how difficult it is 
for a Republican to live here in the usual callings of life. 

If my statements can have any weight with Senators, you can make them known 
to such as take an interest in the matter. I feel it due to Mr. Bryant to make 
them. 

Verr respectfullv. vours, 

AMOS T. AKERMAN, 
( U. S. District AHornty.) 

Office Secretary Mechanics and Laborers' Association, 

Augusta, Ga., November 22, 1869. 

Sir — The following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the Mechanics 
and Laborers' Association of Georgia, recently in session at Macon : 

" Whereas, The Georgia Republican, of Augusta, has published the call for this 
convention without expense to the convention, and has advocated the assembling, 
while others have opposed it, therefore 

" Be it resolved, That XhQ thanks of this convention be tendered to Colonel J. E. 
Bryant, the editor of the saidpctper, for the said courtesy thus extended to us, and 
for his defence of our race against the assault of our enemies. 



13 

•' Resolved, That until a paper is established by our race as the organ of the la- 
bor movement, that the editor of the Georgia Republican be requested to publish 
our proceedings and act as the organ of the labor movement." 
I am, sir, very respectfully, &c., 

WM. J. WHITE, 
Secretary M. and L. Association. 
Col. J. E. Bryant, 

Editor Georgia Republican. 

Atlanta, Ga., January 29, 1870. 
To His Excellency, U. S. Grant, 

President of the United States : 
Sir — The undersigned respectfully recommend Hon. J. E. Bryant, chairman of 
the Republican executive committee of the State, for the position of postmaster 
at Augusta. 

THOS. P. SAFFORD, 
J. R. PARROTT, 
President Constitutional Convention, Ga. 
HENRY P. FARROW, 

Attorney General of Georgia. 
R. L. McWHORTER, 

Speaker House of Representatives. 
MADISON BELL, 

Comp. General. 
N. L. ANGIER, 

Treasurer. 
JAMES ATKINS, 
Republican Candidate for Congress, 1th District. 

WM. P. PIERCE, 
Republican Candidate for Congress, 2d District. 

Atlanta, Ga., January 30, 1869. 
To His Excellency, D. S. Grant, 

President of the United States : 
Sir — The undersigned, Republican candidates for electors of President at the 
late Presidential election, respectfully recommend the Honorable J. E. Brj-ant, of 
Augusta, for the position of postmaster of that city. 
Col. Bryant was a candidate for elector for the 5th Congressional district. 
AMOS T. AKERMAN, Mcctor at Large. 
HENRY P. FARROW, Elector State at Large. 
F. M. SMITH, Elector 1st District. 
Dr. WM. H. WEITEEEAD, Elector 4th District. 
JOHN MURPHY, Elector 2d District. 

Rooms Execdtive Committee, 
Union Republican Party op Georgia, Atlanta, Ga. 

To His Excellency, U. S. Grant, 

President of the United States : 
Sir — The undersigned members of the Republican Executive Committee of this 
State respectfully recommend Hon. J. E. Bryant, of Augusta, the Chairman of 
the Executive Committee, for the position of postmaster of that city. 

JOHN HARRIS, {Ath Dist.,) 

Senator 31ih Di.^trict. 
J. H. CALDWELL, {3d Dist.,) 

Rep. Troup County. 
.SAM'L BARD, (Ith Dist.,) 
JOHN MURPHY. {2d Dist.) 



14 

To His Excellency, U. S. Gkant, 

President United Stales : 
Sir — 1 ask leave to recommend Colonel J. E. Bryant lor an appointment under 
your administration. Colonel Bryant's devoted loyalty, his service in the late 
rebellion, need no words of mine. Actively engaged in the work of reconstruction 
in Georgia, in my canvass I know of no man to whom the Republican party is 
more indebted for success. Earnest and patriotic, his private character, as well 
as his services, induces me to ask for him your favorable consideration. 
Yours trulv. 

SAM'L F. GOVE, 
Rep., 4th Dist., Go. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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